Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Description/Taste
Japanese sweet potatoes are medium to large in size and are cylindrical, oblong, and slightly bulbous in shape with rounded to tapered ends. The textured skin has a smooth, semi-rough consistency with a few shallow eyes and ranges in color from pink, red, purple, to light brown with a red undertone. When raw, the flesh is firm and dense with a creamy white to pale yellow hue, deepening to a golden yellow and developing a softer feel when cooked. Japanese sweet potatoes offer a drier, starchier texture than other sweet potato varieties and have a subtly sweet, nutty, and slightly floral, chestnut-like flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese sweet potatoes are available year-round in North America, with a peak season in the late summer through winter.
Current Facts
Japanese sweet potatoes, botanically classified as Ipomoea batatas, are a dry-fleshed root that grows on sprawling vines and are members of the Convolvulaceae or morning glory family. Also known as Oriental sweet potatoes and Japanese yams in the United States, Japanese sweet potatoes are a generic descriptor used for varieties that have red-purple skin and white flesh. Originally from Asia, these varieties have slowly increased in popularity in North America as consumers recognize the root’s antioxidant-rich properties. With an increase in demand, American breeders are developing improved Japanese varieties to create a year-round supply that have extended storage capabilities, resistance to disease, and enhanced flavor. Common regional names of these potatoes include Kotobuki, Murasaki, and Boniato, but in some marketplaces, the roots are often labeled generically as Japanese sweet potatoes.
Nutritional Value
Japanese sweet potatoes contain fiber, thiamin, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A and C.
Applications
Japanese sweet potatoes are best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, baking, boiling, stir-frying, and steaming. The roots are most commonly consumed with the skin on and are roasted or baked whole to be served by themselves or topped with vegetables and sauces. The sweet potatoes can also be mixed in a breakfast hash, diced and served with pasta, sliced into curries, tossed into salads, fried for tempura, or incorporated into soups and stews. Japanese sweet potatoes pair well with meats such as pork chops, poultry, and steak, poached eggs, prunes, rice, sesame seeds, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, scallions, onions, garlic, rosemary, thyme, miso, mirin, and wasabi. The roots will keep up to a week when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place with good air circulation.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Varieties of Japanese sweet potatoes that were created in the United States have become popular in the American market for their drier flesh, antioxidant-rich skin, and are used as a nutrient powerhouse in healthy home cooking. As consumer need expands beyond the typical white and orange-fleshed varieties, demand for a year-round supply of specialty sweet potatoes encourages breeders to create new, improved varieties. To meet this demand, there are two breeding programs in the United States at Louisiana State University and at North Carolina State University, and these programs work with local farms to create new specialty varieties with improved resistance to disease, visually pleasing colors, enhanced flavor, and long storage capabilities.
Geography/History
Sweet potatoes are native to South or Central America and were then introduced via explorers to Europe in the late 15th century and to Asia and the United States in the mid-16th century. Japanese sweet potatoes became commercially popular in the American market within the last few decades, and new varieties are being created each year. Today Japanese sweet potatoes can be found at specialty grocers and farmers markets and are grown in California, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana of the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Weapon LPM | San Diego CA | 619-564-2618 |
| Raki Raki & Co. | San Diego CA | 858-573-2400 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Japanese Sweet Potatoes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| A Family Feast |
|
Miso Glazed Japanese Sweet Potatoes |
Recently Shared
People have shared Japanese Sweet Potatoes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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La Jolla Open Aire Market
Hamlow Ranches
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesPO Box 898, Denair, CA 209-664-1447 About 12 days ago, 1/09/22 Sharer's comments : Sweeter than yams, packed with vitamins, and had approx 2g of protein per serving! 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 47 days ago, 12/05/21 Sharer's comments : Japanese Sweet Potatoes from Her Produce 
North Park Thursday Market
Rodriguez Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 71 days ago, 11/11/21 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 96 days ago, 10/17/21 Sharer's comments : Japanese Sweet Potatoes from Fresno Evergreen 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 124 days ago, 9/19/21 Sharer's comments : Japanese sweet potatoes from Fresno Evergreen 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 161 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Japanese sweet potato 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 298 days ago, 3/29/21 Sharer's comments : Sweet Japanese taters from Fresno Evergreens 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 303 days ago, 3/24/21 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 333 days ago, 2/22/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Milliken Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 349 days ago, 2/06/21 
pamulang d'park
Near Ciputat, Banten, IndonesiaAbout 352 days ago, 2/03/21 Sharer's comments : sweet potato 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 433 days ago, 11/14/20 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 501 days ago, 9/07/20 Sharer's comments : Sweet Japanese Potatoes from King Thao 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Fresno Evergreen Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 506 days ago, 9/02/20 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 563 days ago, 7/07/20 Sharer's comments : Sweet Japanese Potatoes 🥔 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Milliken Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 604 days ago, 5/27/20 Sharer's comments : Japanese Sweet Potatoes 
PCC Community Markets
PCC Natural Markets - Fremont
Near Seattle, Washington, United States600 N 34th St Seattle WA 98103 206-632-6811 https://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com About 635 days ago, 4/26/20 Sharer's comments : Popular boiled, these are the sweetest of all yams :) 
Central Co-op
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 664 days ago, 3/28/20 Sharer's comments : Making a simple sweet potato soup tonight with a dash of coconut milk and chives :) 
Pasar Anyar
Near Bogor, Jawa Barat, IndonesiaAbout 676 days ago, 3/16/20 Sharer's comments : ubi ungu 
99 Ranch Market
99 Ranch Market
Near Pulo, Jakarta, IndonesiaAbout 694 days ago, 2/27/20 Sharer's comments : ubi manis jepang di ranch market darmawangsa 
99 Ranch Market
Near Pulo, Jakarta, IndonesiaAbout 694 days ago, 2/27/20 Sharer's comments : japanese sweet potatoes di ranch market darmawangsa jakarta selatan |
